الجمعة، 30 يناير 2015

SANTA MONICA


Good morning and happy almost weekend, Everyone! Whenever I get restless ( and with Fashion Week approaching fast, I've been getting restless quite a bit lately ), feel tired, uninspired or under the weather, Emil and I head straight to Santa Monica, get a cup of tea or coffee and just sit on the beach staring at the ocean. You know, they say there are three things you can look at forever, burning fire, water and starry sky... Well, staring at the ever-changing Pacific ocean tends to do the trick for me. A few hours at the beach, and I feel like a new person! Bight-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready for action! :) 

What about you guys, is there a place you go to recharge? 



Acne Studious Adriana metallic light gold sneakers | Line & Dot pullover | Illesteva Leonard sunglassesA.P.C. beige nubuck bucket bag Gold Philosophy SS15 Collection Treble ring, Galaxias pearl ring, Pirouette ring, Eclipse pearl bangle & Galaxias pearl bangle 


Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle  

الأربعاء، 28 يناير 2015

NEW IN :: DYLANLEX FALKOR


Good morning, Everyone! How is your week going so far?

I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few images of what is possibly my most favorite piece of jewelry of all time, i.e. the out-of-this-world amazing DYLANLEX Falkor necklace

It arrived last week, and as soon as I got it, I started roaming through my closet trying to find something absolutely perfect to pair it with only to realize that it really didn't matter what I wore, the necklace made any outfit look spectacular! Chic, edgy and oh-so-very-modern, I still marvel at it's ability to transform a basic tee and jean look into something entirely sophisticated and polished! Oh, and how I love the way it pairs with crisp button downs and leather jackets, in fact, I have a feeling thanks to this marvel-of-a-necklace that'll be my new uniform from now on! Hope you guys don't mind:)



DYLANLEX Falkor necklaceChanel Boy flap bag | IRO Kimmy studded suede boots { also love this flat option } | Cameo The Islands jumper 

Thank you for reading
& keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle 

الاثنين، 26 يناير 2015

BARELY PINSTRIPES


Good morning, Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

Honestly, I can't believe it was cold and rainy just 2 weeks ago, but there you have, LA weather is that unpredictable and sometimes Summer begins in January:) Not that I am not happy about that! I love the warmth and the sunshine! Yet, I don't feel like I am quite ready to put away my Winter wardrobe just yet, but I suppose at some point in time it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the the fact that it's 82 degrees outside and everyone is in shorts:) 






Of course the bright side is that I get to break out my new Summer wardrobe favorites like the super cool vest I am wearing in today's post. I've been looking for a longer vest for some time now, and as soon as I spotted this one, I knew I found the one! Love the subtle pinstripes and the length, but it's the deconstructed panels in the front that make it the real stand out piece for me. Today, I paired it with a flare skirt and a crop top, but I think it would look just as good worn with jeans and a tank. 

What do you guys think? How would you wear it? 

The Fifth Label skirt { similar here } | Finders Keepers Change your mind vest | Misha Collection topMarc Jacobs Suede Trouble bag | Saint Laurent Jane ankle strap sandals { in black here } | Gold Philosophy SS15 Collection Treble ring, Galaxias pearl ring, Pirouette ring, Eclipse pearl bangle & Galaxias pearl bangle 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE, 
Annabelle  

السبت، 24 يناير 2015

PLAID IN SAN LUIS OBISPO


Good morning, Everyone! Hope you are all enjoying your weekend! 

I wanted to say a quick hello and share a few pics Emil and I took in San Luis Obispo on the way back from San Simeon. As I have mentioned in the past, Emil and I love taking these mini driving trips along California coast line. 

Since normally,  it takes about 4 - 5 hours to get to San Simeon and I am the biggest baby in the world and become pretty restless after spending even 2 hours in the car, we always make a few stops along the way. A coffee and a quick walk in Santa Barbara, lunch in San Luis Obispo ( an incredibly charming town, by the way ) not only breaks up the monotony of driving but also gives us a chance to explore a few wonderful coastal towns. For example, this time around, we spent a few hours walking around San Luis Obispo and I have to say, it's one of my new favorite places ever! So, if you ever decide to make this trip, I definitely recommend making a stop. Oh, and you have to check out Scout Coffee on Garden Street! Best coffee I ever had, hands down! :) 






Oversized plaid coat via Storets | TROA Rider mid-rise skinny jeans in black onyx | Chanel Boy flap bag Isabel Marant Royston suede buckle boots { similar here & here } | Alice McCall x Cast Eyewear Love Cats sunglasses via Pixie Market Wanderlust & Co rings 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE, 
Annabelle  

الأربعاء، 21 يناير 2015

MALIBU CASUAL & PROENZA SCHOULER BUCKET BAG


Good morning, Everyone! Hope your week is going great! 

This is yet another one of my outfits comprised entirely of new and old favorites. Most you've met before, some more than others:) Yep, I'm talking about the Isabel Marant boots I've been wearing religiously. But honestly, I am obsessed!!! Not only do I love they way they look, they also happen to be really comfortable, which makes it even more difficult to wear anything else. 









You've also seen this Kooples blazer on the blog before and in all honesty, will most likely continue seeing in the future:) As I have mentioned before, a black blazer is definitely a wardrobe staple for me. Aside from being guilty of loving blazers a little too much in general, I feel, a black one is a perfect way to add edge and polish to pretty much every look imaginable. This one made my all time favorite blazers list thanks to leather lapels and the coolest little chain detailing on the front pocket! 

Lastly, I'd like to introduce you to my newest acquisition and obsession, the Proenza Schouler bucket bag. First, I really like the easiness of this particular shape. Somehow it feels fresh and new and also looks absolutely perfect with most casual looks. But I think the biggest reason I love this bag is the patchwork color blocking. Aside from the fact that it does a fantastic job of breaking up the monotony of my overwhelmingly black outfits, I can't get enough of this particular shade of burgundy paired with a slightly grayish cream. Though I got it just a week ago, I've been wearing it pretty much non stop! So, all things considered, I have a feeling it's going to be yet another one of those items which make appearance after appearance on this blog. 

Proenza Schouler patchwork medium bucket bag | The Kooples leather lapel stretch wool jacket { also here } | Isabel Marant Royston suede buckle boots { similar here & here } | Banana Republic turtleneck sweater { similar option } | Rue Gembon Keianna gunmetal rings | BaubleBar baby blues studs 



Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle 

الاثنين، 19 يناير 2015

RUN AWAY WITH ME


Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

Since I've been getting quite a few reader emails asking about my fitness routine, I decided to take this opportunity to talk to you a little bit about what it is that I normally do to stay in shape. 

First and foremost, I prefer to exercise outside because when it comes to working out, scenery is very important to me. Looking at the same four walls at the gym makes my workouts feel like a chore, but being outdoors, always makes working out feel fresh and new. 


Another thing that is very important to me is changing things up. Whether it's location, or my workouts, I constantly work on finding ways not to fall into the same routine. Aside from the obvious fitness benefits, I believe in the mind and body connection and so, I think feeling good during workouts is really the best way to maximize the results. What makes working out truly enjoyable for me? Well, definitely constantly trying new things, thinking outside the box ( after all, an hour long bike ride or ball room dancing are both great ways to keep in shape ) and incorporating a variety of different exercises within the same workout. 

For example, today I started with a 20 minute run just to warm up. Quick little tip, make sure to control your breathing by taking slow, deep breaths. Shallow, rapid breath send your lungs into overdrive, so you can find yourself gasping for air and getting that side stitch during your run. 

Next, I work on my core, arms and lower body by mixing a few favorite yoga and pilates moves. Another tip, core is extremely important for both yoga and pilates, so make sure to keep your abs flexed while performing the moves. 

Normally, this portion of my workout takes about 30 minutes and varies from day to day. Sometimes, I concentrate on strengthening the muscles and other days I work on flexibility. 

To cool down, I like to end my workouts with either a slower-paced 5 minute run or a walk to slow my heart rate and breathing gradually.  

Lastly, and this is going to sound completely girly, but a cute workout outfit makes the world of difference:) I don't know about you guys, but when I have a new pair of runners or super cute leggings, like the ones from EXP CORE I am sporting in today's post, I cannot wait to take them out for a run! As you may have noticed, I absolutely love EXPRESS, so naturally I was very excited to try out their new activewear line. The particular running leggings and sports bra I am wearing in todays' post actually come in a variety of different colors, but since I have a soft spot for bright sportswear, I fell in love with this pretty turquoise blue and white print. What I also love about the new EXP CORE activewear is that it bends and flexes with you, without impairing movement and feels like you are wearing nothing at all. 

What about you guys, how do you work on your fitness:)? 








EXP CORE compression crop leggings, mesh racerback print sports bra & texture block zip front jacket | NIKE runners 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle 

السبت، 17 يناير 2015

PLEATED PINK

Good morning, Everyone! How is your weekend going so far? 

Ok, so I'll be the first to admit that wearing sandals smack in the middle of winter is a bit insane! In fact, when I think about January appropriate footwear, sandals are pretty much the last thing that come to mind:) Yet, I find myself in this particular dilemma every year. That very familiar place where things I feel I should be wearing in Winter and things I actually can wear, given that it's about 80 degrees outside, don't exactly match. Sure, I've been trying to keep up the pretense that it's still Winter in LA by layering and wearing boots with pretty much everything, but as temperatures continue to soar, I am faced with the inevitable. Sandal weather is here:) 

Not that I am complaining about this! I'll take all the warmth and sun I can get! Maybe I am not quite ready to give up on cozy coats, sweaters and boots just yet...







INTERMIX cropped wide leg pants in crepe | Aquazzura Saharienne sandals | Trina Turk sleeveless turtleneck { similar here } | Marc Jacobs Suede Trouble bag | Wanderlust & Co ringsMovado Bold crystal accent watch  | Delfina Delettrez eye piercing earring 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE, 
Annabelle  

الأربعاء، 14 يناير 2015

BLACK & WHITE


Good morning, Everyone! How is your week going so far? 

When it comes to little black dresses, or in this case, little black and white dresses, I always look for just a tad of drama, like an interesting shape, fabric or cute detailing. So naturally, when I spotted this number from Maje, I just couldn't resist. A perfect combination of sweet and sexy, I just love the way the super short hemline is balanced out by the delicate chiffon top! 

How about you guys, what do you look for in a  little black dress? 






Maje colorblock dress | Saint Laurent Monogram small velvet chain bag with tassel | Isabel Marant Royston suede buckle boots { similar here & here } | ASOS chiffon bow neck tieBaubleBar Big bondage chain ring | Delfina Delettrez eye piercing earring 


Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle